Herefordshire's new proposed Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) has been developed in partnership by residents, environmental groups, landowners, farmers, charities, Herefordshire Council and others. People emphasised that safeguarding the county's rivers, woodlands, hedgerows and wildlife is a priority.

The LNRS has now been launched for public consultation. It's a major new plan incorporating:

• 15 habitat priorities designed to protect, enhance and reconnect the landscapes, habitats and species that make Herefordshire special
• Almost 100 potential opportunities to boost biodiversity and restore natural assets across Herefordshire's 200,000 hectares
• An interactive online map allows people to zoom in on 42 potential habitat measure and 12 supporting actions, plus 43 potential species measures

The LNRS is not a list of mandatory schemes. Instead it outlines a menu of voluntary ideas and suggestions, alongside existing nature reserves, wildlife sites and unique habitats, that residents, farmers and all types of landowners can choose to pursue with support from the council and partners.

This consultation asks you to comment on the proposals and sites identified with potential to create healthier habitats, cleaner watercourses, richer wildlife and more resilient ecosystems, and also asks for any further ideas or suggestions for suitable sites.

Have your say

Let us know your opinions on the LNRS documents and mapping by completing the survey.

Documents

• LNRS summary document
• Description of the strategy area
• Priorities and measures
• Engagement report
• Developers and planners user guide
• Farmers, foresters, landowners and land managers user guide
• Local interest groups, communities and individuals user guide
• Species methodology
• Priorities and measures methodology
• Mapping methodology

Survey

Take part in the consultation

Public events

We are also hosting a series of public events across the county that will provide the opportunity to discuss the LNRS with specialist staff and partners, ask questions, and provide input. Events currently planned are:

• Hereford Market - Saturday 7 February
• Ledbury Market - Saturday 14 February
• Kington Market - Friday 20 February
• Queenswood Arboretum and Country Park (hosted by Herefordshire Wildlife Trust) - Saturday 21 February
• Ross Market - Saturday 7 March

Closing date

The closing date for the consultation is midnight on Sunday 22 March 2026.

How we'll use the information from this consultation

The information we gather will be used to inform and refine the written strategy and mapping. A summary of the consultation will be published on this page in 2026. Any comments provided will be treated as confidential and will be anonymised before publication.

If you have any queries please contact us at naturerecovery@herefordshire.gov.uk

Consultations privacy notice

Background

The LNRS is a key statutory document required by Government, as part of strategies to help national efforts to reverse the decline of biodiversity.

Herefordshire is one of 48 such plans nationally. It has been developed jointly by the council and partners, including Wye Valley National Landscape, Herefordshire Biological Records Centre, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, Farm Herefordshire, The Wye and Usk Foundation, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust, Wye Catchment Partnership, The Country Land and Business Association, National Farmers Union, Forestry England, Natural England, the Environment Agency, plus 170+ residents across the county.